I am thinking about booking a cruise for the first time, but I have some questions.?

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kim m

1. if you book through a travel agent they will usually include your airfare, but if if book it on your own you will have to find your own flights. transportation to and from the airport is included (from the airport to the ship, obviously not the airport to your house). they handle all your luggage and check it in for you when you're going back home. food is included- all dining rooms on the ship, snack carts on the ship. water/soda/juice any NONalcoholic drink is included. alcohol is NOT included. cash is usually not accepted, you carry your key card to your room and they charge it to that. things like aerobic classes are included but things like spa treatments are not. at the end you get a bill. tips are NOT included, you are not required to tip but it is extremely rude if you dont. on your last day of the cruise, they leave you an envelope in your room for your tip to the cleaner (usually $50 will suffice) and your server in the dining room will give you an envelope the last night (think about if you went to a restaurant for 7 nights in a row, you would usually tip them $10-15 a night so give the waiter AT LEAST $100)
2. good times to go are when its not school vacation. times in january, may, or sept-nov.
3. i really like celebrity but they can be pricey. i also love royal caribbean, they are awesome and reasonably priced. Carnival is a little cheaper and a little less nice but still pretty good.

Andy

Included:

Stateroom
Room Service 24/24
All food, including juice, coffee and tea
Live shows, cinema
All fitness equipment
Beach towels
Pools

Not included

Alcoholic beverages and sodas
Spa treatments
Personal care (e.g. beauty salon)
$10.00/day tip for cabin steward
Tip/day for waiter and assistant/day (ranges from $7.50-10.00/day)
Guided shore excursions
Certain classes, like cooking classes or wine appreciation.

Time of year

That depends on where you're going: Caribbean; December through April or May. Europe; spring, summer and fall. Alaska; June through August. New England and Canada; summer and fall.

Most affordable/fun

The prices really don't vary that much (except for the really, really elite cruise lines) Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity, Princess, all have great, affordable cruises. If you're going with children, or if you like to party, Celebrity or Princess lines are probably more suitable. If you like peace and quiet, the Holland America and Royal Caribbean are probably your best bets - yet that's not to say that everyone on board is a sedentary senior - quite the contrary.

keagkid101

1. Nothing but your room is included in the price, and some meals.. You have to purchase alcohol, and desserts. Most meals are free at the buffet. Soda costs money. Most cruise lines offer tap water for free, and iced tea and soft serve ice cream at no charge.
2. I am going on a cruise in two weeks. It is bound for the Caribbean. It is so hot in the Caribbean in the summer. I know that because I went once in the summer. Go in the winter. The Caribbean is around a comfortable 80 degrees.
3. I purchased a Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean. It was $4,800 for four people. I had to add a flight for 4, as well as a hotel room for a night. Everything total was around $5,300. I cannot wait!

L_Card

On Carnival, you pay extra for alcohol, sodas, fancy coffees and fancy desserts, pictures and souvenirs. All food in the dining room, at the buffet and room service is included in your fare as are all of the desserts that you get in the dining room or the buffet You can also buy a soda card and drink all the soda you want. They have tea and lemonade at the buffet that does not cost extra. Some ships have fruit punch as well. Carnival also allows you to prepay your tips, so you don't have to worry about that when you're onboard.
My husband and I just went on a Carnival cruise in December and and a great time. It was pretty inexpensive too. There were very few children on board, so it was pretty quiet. We've been on three cruises with Carnival and the food and service has always been wonderful.
We're going on another one as soon as I can save up some money :)

Try www.cruisecritic.com and go to the boards. You'll find the answers to most of your questions there and you can ask whatever you like.

wellmaintained

i use this website for all my cruising and information enquiries, there is all you will ever need to know about cruising. www.vacationstogo.com
this company has the best discounted prices ive ever seen advertised

DougT

1) With the mass market lines (Carnival, Royal Carribean, Norweigian, Princess, MSC, Holland America) you can expect that the price you paid before boarding includes standard meals, regular coffee/tea/iced tea. Some lines (HAL) provide cappucino/espresso. Sodas, alcohol are extra. (Sigh... many years back these were included). Regular entertainment (the nightly show), discos, parties are free. Most of the lines now have optional "premium" restaurants and services in which you will pay anywhere from $10 to 35. They now levy a "service charge" on the 24 hour room service. You pay for use of the internet, cell phones, tips (automatically added to your credit card), tours, buses (including transport to/from airport if you did NOT purchase from the cruise line), laundry/dry cleaning, and of course on-board shopping/gambling/art. To avoid extra charges, you can book a "luxury" line that pays for all "well drinks", wine and provides a special tour for guests - but be prepared to spend at least $350 per person per day.

2) Depending on where you are going. Assuming you mean the Caribbean, the best time is in the winter Dec-Mar to avoid the hurricane season. You can find some decent bargains right now.

3) You need to talk to a Cruise Agent who specializes in cruising. An MCC (Master Cruise Counselor) can help you find the best fit for you. This question is kind of like, "What's the best car for the money?"
Do you like late partying? Do you like lots of activities, or are you looking for relaxation? Are you a gourmet? Adventurous? Like lectures? Like dressing up? Are you bringing kids? You can see why this is a difficult question to answer.

Happy Cruising!!

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